Through the first 19 games of the WNBA season, the Seattle Storm positioned themselves near the top of the league standings among a cluster of teams including Phoenix, New York and Atlanta who are chasing the runaway locomotive that is the Minnesota Lynx.

Seemingly, the Storm are poised to pull away from the pack during a scheduling quirk in ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — After surviving a fiery car wreck and successfully skipping his final year of high school to enroll at USC, incoming star freshman Alijah Arenas should be cleared to join the team for practice on Thursday, coach Eric Musselman confirmed.

The five-star guard arrives at USC this summer as the most highly anticipated recruit of ...Read more

The Golden State Valkyries picked up a big road win Wednesday by taking charge in the second quarter and keeping their foot on the gas for an 80-61 win over the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The Valkyries improved to 10-9 after losing the first two games of a four-game road trip in Minnesota and Atlanta. Now 3-6 on the...Read more

Former University of Kansas and NBA basketball player Ben McLemore was sentenced to more than eight years in an Oregon state prison on Wednesday, a week after a jury found him guilty of raping a 21-year-old woman at a house party in October 2021.

According to ESPN.com, the 32-year-old McLemore wore Clackamas County Jail inmate clothing in court...Read more

CHICAGO — Matas Buzelis is embracing his new role as a young leader for the Chicago Bulls — even if it just lasts for the short duration of the NBA Summer League.

A year ago, Buzelis was a teenager stumbling through the new jargon of a professional team during the lengthy days of summer league practices. Just months ago, he was still ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Deandre Ayton stood with his hands in his pockets, his all-black attire — from the suit to tie, shirt and shoes — a measured look for the newest member of the Lakers. His eyes were mostly down as he answered questions about how he'll fit with the team and how he's driven to prove his naysayers wrong.

In many ways, Ayton fell...Read more

NEW YORK — The Knicks are singularly focused on winning a championship. New head coach Mike Brown received the message loud and clear.

Brown understands the assignment at Madison Square Garden and is embracing the championship-or-bust expectations that come with his new job. The coach replacing Tom Thibodeau inherits a 51-win roster fresh off...Read more

CHICAGO — Second-round draft pick Lachlan Olbrich has been getting acquainted with Chicago before the Bulls summer league team heads to Las Vegas for Friday’s opener against the Toronto Raptors

“I love it,” he said. “The weather’s beautiful and being out by the lake has been pretty cool. Italian beef is cool (but) I can’t eat it ...Read more

BOSTON — Most of the hay is in the barn for the Celtics this offseason.

But what about Al Horford?

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens cast doubt on the 39-year-old returning to TD Garden in green and white, as Horford continues to mull his options in free agency.

“We made offers to both Luke (Kornet) and Al,” ...Read more

DENVER — Nikola Jokic has informed the Nuggets he will not sign a contract extension this offseason, team sources told The Denver Post, as the three-time MVP intends to wait until next summer to engage in contract talks.

Jokic has a minimum of two years remaining on his current supermax contract, as well as a player option for the 2027-28 ...Read more

ORLANDO, Fla. — Paolo Banchero signed the largest contract in Orlando Magic history earlier this week — a five-year, $239 million rookie max extension that could rise to $287 million if he reaches All-NBA levels this season.

It’s great news.

It’s a landmark deal.

It’s a generational commitment.

It’s a clear message that the Magic...Read more

MIAMI — While the Miami Heat shook up its roster by trading for guard Norman Powell at the start of this week, the free agency of guard Davion Mitchell provided very little drama.

After arriving in Miami as part of the midseason February Jimmy Butler trade, Mitchell thrived with the Heat in the final months of this past season before becoming...Read more

NEW YORK — Dwight Howard’s wife, “Love & Hip Hot: Atlanta” star Amber Rose Howard, wants out of their marriage, filing for divorce after a mere six months of marriage to the former NBA mainstay.

Amber, better known as Amy Luciani, is seeking alimony and asking for all marital assets and property to be “equitably divided,” according ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — When Kevin Slaughter heard the news that the WNBA will add a franchise in Philadelphia in 2030, the Universal Audenried Charter girls’ basketball coach immediately thought of his former player, Shayla Smith, having the opportunity to play professionally for her hometown.

“Shayla Smith will be coming out of Penn State,” ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Lowry has agreed to return to the 76ers on a one-year contract, a source confirmed to The Philadelphia Inquirer on Monday evening.

Lowry, the North Philly native and former Villanova star, will play his 20th NBA season and continue with his hometown team after joining the Sixers off the buyout market in February 2024. This...Read more